This article looks at the relationship between both subjects and provides a comparative study.Choice is about making decisions. These are simply where you choose to take one action as opposed to another. It is the fundamental basic of our daily lives. What choices we make reflect upon many things. But we make many of them every minute.We’re going to examine the decision making process as it happens in a computer. Then use that to evaluate the same process in human behaviour.Computers are now so advanced we take them for granted. We simply type in our data through a keyboard, be it physical, or a virtual representation on our phone or tablet screens. The computer then provides us with a set of results, in a form we can understand. Yet this data, when entered into the computer has to go through a series of changes before it can be processed. That procedure then has to be reversed before you see the final results.

Information passing through a computer consists simply of two conditions. Either a one or a zero. This format is known as binary language, and is the method used for all types of data manipulation. It’s the only form of information a computer literally understands. We equate this condition, as either yes or no.A single binary digit in and of itself, is not very useful. So binary data is manipulated in larger chunks. In computing parleance, the term bit references one binary digit.The term byte was coined from the phrase by eight adding an additional e. A single byte consists of eight binary digits. The binary system is used as a method to to convert our complex grammar into something the computer can work with and understand. The following series of examples will illustrate.These are a couple of examples of binary numbers as represented to the computer in bytes, namelyeight binary digits.00110110 10110011The question can be seen even before it’s asked. What does that lot mean. The explanation is easy but requires a degree of clarifying. Each binary digit has a numeric value. These values increase as we move along the list. Very similar to our normal numbering systems.However the way the sequence increases is completely different. In binary the numeric value of a bit doubles as we move along the string.Bit one at the beginning of the string, extreme right has a value of oneBit two has a value of 2Bit three has a value of 4Bit four has a value of 8Bit five has a value of 16Bit six has a value of 32Bit seven has a value of 64Bit eight at the extreme left has a value of 128Using this formula, taking the examples previously shownexample 1: 00110110 Here we have four ones. These represent a positive value.The zeros represent nothing. The positive values are relative to the position of the one in the byte. Moving from right to left.We have a zero in the first positionOne in the second position, the value associated with it is 2The third position also has a one, the value for this is 4Zero in the fourth positionThe fifth position has a one, the value for this is 16The sixth position also has a one, the value for this is 32The seventh and eigth positions are both zero and therefore have no value.To find the numeric value for the byte we simply add together all the positivevalues giving us the grand total of 54.

For those that want to try it with the second example.Example 2: 10110011Please feel free, but don’t read the following sentence.For those that don’t the numeric value of this byte is 179.The problem with binary numbers is they can become extremely large very quickly.For human interaction it was decided to limit data size to one byte. Each byte can have a decimal value from zero to 255.

Character sets.

Data input has to be converted into binary format so the computer understands it. The method used is the character set. It is simply an index of alphanumeric and special characters. Each of which has an associated decimal value.

From my time as a computer engineer and practicing programmer there have been two character sets which have become familiar although there are many more.

Ascii: American Standard Code for Information Interchange

Ebcdic: European Binary Coding Decimal Inter Change System

The conversion process work in a top down and bottom up model

I’ll use the term alphanumeric. To describe the way we represent the data.Look down at your keyboard, there is the character set. It consists of the letters, numbers, syntax symbols and special characters that form our languages.

Each character is given a corresponding decimal value. When a key is typed, we see the alphanumeric character reproduced. The computer software sees a decimal value.

Moving further down the chain, that decimal value is converted to it’s binary equivalent where the computer can recognize and work with it.

Once the data has been processed, it can be either left in storage or returned as output. For this, the results are converted back from binary, through decimal to alphanumeric. This is a very simplified analogy. The illustration below shows the process a bit more clearly.

The interaction between our conscious and sub conscious minds works in a similar way. We take in experience through the senses, or in NLP terms the representational systems. Our physical senses pick up on an unimaginable amount of information at any given time. yet the conscious mind can only process a minute amount of that.

This is quite simply to stop information overload. We notice what we need to know, or actually want to know. So we take in what we deem as being necessary and filter the rest out. This process has many paths but there are three key elements. Deletion, Distortion and Generalization. Deletion is where the unnecessary experience is quite simply removed. Distortion is where the focus is on a small part of the experience. Generalization is where similar items of related experience become grouped together.

Each experience is coded according to the representation system through which it passes. As an example, an experience of seeing will have a strongly visual connection associated with it. Recall will usually be an image. Audio experience will be coded as sound. Recall will be sound. Sensations of touch, will be coded accordingly. Recall will be the sensation of touch. Smell and Taste work in the same manner. Stronger experience often has a mixture of inputs and will therefore be triggered by an association from any one of them.

Yet by contrast the subconscious mind, like the computer storage device is able to hold all of our life experience. In the computer, the data is accessed via a directive link, this is a logical address which is issued by the operating system when the data is stored. To access the data, the computer simply finds the address where the data is stored.

Our subconscious minds work in a similar way, except our data is stored as experience. The address is the linked emotional content added as the data was stored by the representation system through which it was input. The illustration below shows this more clearly.

As can be seen with both systems. Data input is broken down and simplified into a format where the data can be processed and stored. In order to access the data, the process has to be be reversed.

Each systems handles a limited amount data, but it processes that data with extreme rapidity. Each can recapture data with tremendous efficiency.

This brings us back to the original theme for this article, that of choice.

In computers choice is made based on a series of logical instructions. These require that a series of conditions is evaluated in a specific manner. To produce a set of results.

With the Subconscious/conscious mind. Choice is based on emotive content. It is made subject to the perceived benefits to be gained or the corresponding difficulties which can be avoided.

Notice anything familiar, The fundamental basics of choice seem to boil down to one of two states

Been promising this series of forthcoming articles for quite a while.the idea being to put my interpretation of the NLP strategies and techniquesas they have worked for me.

Also how they were used to generate the results I wanted.

So firstly

NLP: What is it? There are almost as many descriptions as there are NLP practitioners. This however, is my interpretation., NLP or Neuro Linguistic Programming is the study of how we as individuals communicate. Both with ourselves and others. It is about understanding what we are, and maximizing our potential.

Neuro: This is the study of how we use the mindLinguistic: This is the study of communication, both verbal and non verbalProgramming: This looks at how we sequence experience and how this effects our behaviour patterns.

It does all this using an ever increasing array of techniques, some of which will be examined as we move through this series of articles.

To start, this article looks at one of the NLP fundamentals.

Presuppositions

This is a statement which presupposes the condition to be true.

There are many of them, for the purposes of this article. I will evaluate five.The very first one appears in all the books and studies I have viewed. It forms the basis of how we view and interpret the world around us

1 The Map is not the Territory:

Simply stated, we all experience the world around us in the same way. Yet, it's our interpretation of those experiences which make them unique to us. We lliterally create our own versions of reality.

NLP techniques, work towards recognizing howother people do this, and then attempts to communicate with these people on their own own wavelength. This empathy generated, leads to a stronger and more trustingrelationships between people

2 If you want to understand ACT.

This for me simply means that action is the end result of desire, asunderstanding comes through the doing.

3 Having a choice, is much better than not having a choice.

This is a fairly obvious statement, We always have a choice, however the essence of it for me was not so much in having a choice. The art is in deciding which choice to choose.

4 We make the best choice we can, at the time we made it.

Once again a fairly obvious statement. Decisions are made, based on an accumulation of facts, that were relevant at the time the decisions were made. Whatever happens after will simply validate, whether the decision achieved it's purpose or not. The laments of hindsight should have no bearing on the outcomes resulting from that decision.

5 All actions have a purpose.

Once again, an obvious statement, yet one which is at the core of our process.Actions are never random, they always have a purpose. Although we may not be fully aware of what that purpose is.

These then are five of the NLP core statements.

There are many more and any further study of the subject will include these. The simple purpose of the presupposition is to ask questions about experience. In seeking answers, we create understanding.

Yes, it's been a long time coming, and i thank you very much for the continued support of this site.

It continues to receive serious amounts of visitors, for a limited amount of content. As a musician i have been extremely busy working on projects which have kept me very busy over the beginning months of this year.

I have now worked out a form of regular article content which will be forthcoming within the next few weeks. I have also finished a series of new videos for meditation and relaxation which I'll link up to the site very soon.

Those regular visitors will notice some page changes, nothing too massive, but this will increase as I get down to work.

In the interim, thanks to all who have and continue to support this site.

Hi all Once again, it has been a very long time since I published on this forum. That however is something which I intend to rectify during the early part of next year.

There has been much going on with how I've developed my knowledge and application of NLP during daily life. I intent to explore and share some of these discoveries in a series of articles which I'm planning tp publish here staring very soon.

In the meantime allow me to wish you all an incredibly amazing christmas season

Just celebrating the first birthday of this site. When I started it off, there was no real game plan on how to use and develope it. But after looking at the published content in all it's variation. I'm extremely pleased with what has been accomplished. As a site related to NLP there is not a specific amount on the applications. For me I use NLP on a daily basis therefore I'm purely a practitioner not a trainer. But I have been asked how I use it, so I'll put some of my process into words sometime very soon.

Now the purpose of this particular blog is to inform you on the latest site update. I have added a purchase page to a new book now available in paperback via Amazon. This is a small information guide aimed at people in the UK looking to obtain funding for mortgage borrowing. It came from a project I was asked to write when I worked in the industry many years back. I recovered the original manuscripts earlier this year and decided to update the information and to put it out. It was originally a manual which covered all aspects of the market. But I decided to aim it specifically at the lending area.

Hi allIt has been a while since I posted anything on the site or this blog. I've been busy working on two new albums for the music site and a third book for this site. The albums have been published have been released, I will post the links below. The book has been published and I'll add a page on that specifically on this site.. I'm in the process of setting up my own online publishing business, of which most of the content I am publishing is designed as product. Pages on both sites will be linked to the purchase locations as is already in place. There is absolutely no obligation for my visitors to purchase anything. just enjoy the content I have already posted, plus the new content I will be putting up soon.

In life, the things we see and use around us, such as tools, appliances, products, vehicles even the buildings we live in. Started life as an idea, a thought in the mind of an individual.A concept which has been transformed in reality by some one who went through the process of making it happen.

Through my own work and personal observations, the process takes on four distinct stages. They are as follows

PlanPrepareProceedPursue

Planning

The inspiration for ideas can be motivated from many distinct areas, be it a Eureka moment. The result of observation and research, or simply the recognition that something can be done, made or improved upon to fulfil a need or roll.

However it occurs, the idea rises above the stream of normal thought. It forces it's way into the mind and embeds itself into the conscious. Where it fires our sense of possibility. Over time we toy with the idea, and mould into shape and form. A mental model evolves, which we can see, hear, touch and maybe even taste.

Preparation

It is at this point efforts are made to bring the concept from the mind into a physical form. We start to ask questions and analysing the idea with a reference on physical qualities. Such as how it looks, construction materials, size and shape, the uses to which it will be put, manufacturing costs etc.

From the results of these ponderings will come the physical model.

Proceed

This stage is really very simple, if the preparation stage has provided answers to the required questions. You activate the process, whether it be manufacturing, writing, testing, composing or whatever needs to be done to get the concept out there. You simply do it.

Pursue

The final stage is simply the follow through, You have this new creation which needs to start living so you refine, push, advertise, sell, motivate, encourage and nurture the concept.

Which, by so doing becomes a physical, usable everyday item.The most satisfying thing about this process, is you made it happen.

The following illustration is the four stage achievement model as I see it